Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Savage Collectors One little hole

Thought I would have a little fun here and see what people think. Does one little hole in an original stock really make that much difference as to the collectibility of a 99? Before I go any further let me say that I totally agree that any alteration to the metal kills the collector's value of any firearm. Here is the situation: I have two 99Fs, a pre mil in .243 and a slightly post mil in .308, both guns 90% or better condition and unaltered except for one little hole in the butt stock which was drilled for a sling swivel stud which now resides in said hole. The forends of both guns have not been altered but the original forend screws have been replaced with sling swivel studs that screw into the original holes. Let me know what you think.

Doug

Most of us collect Savages. I'm sure ALL of us have at least ONE rifle that has been dicked with in one way or another. Personally, I wouldn't let that ONE LITTLE HOLE bother me in the least as long as the rest of the rifle hasn't been dicked with. There are still MANY of us that have at LEAST one rifle in the herd that has had scope base mounting holes drilled into the reciever/barrel. If that rifle was a rare one, I don't think there's more than a handful that would let it walk, regardless of what is preached. There are some that look down their noses at any rifle that is less than pristine. To those folks, I say thank you. We've had several threads over the years attempting to answer,, Are you a collector or just an accumulator? I have a "collection" of Savages some here would snub..........But to me,,,,,,,,,,well I think you get my drift.

That one little hole is/should have been a barganing point. ALL of my rifles see time in the woods. I love to hunt and the rifles were made to shoot. JMHO!!!!!!!!!!

We collect for different reasons. It makes a difference if you buy them to resell at a profit. If you buy them to have, to shoot, to enjoy it should make no difference at all unless it makes a difference to you. Enjoy!

its not going to make much difference in the price of a gun that is 90% b/c that is not really collectors quality anyways... and post mils as a whole really don't demand a premium of any sort unless they have a box with them. 90% might be a collectors gun if it was say pre-war, especially pre- WW I. And then yes, sling stud will effect final price as that gun is likely being bought by a collector... we are assuming public sales like a large auction or internet sale.

If the gun was 99% with sling stud(s)... then yes, the sling stud would effect the selling price.... for all 99s that were not factory original with studs.

If you are thinking of selling the F, please let me know.

After reading the thread title, I thought this was going to be an entirely different topic! :-) Oh, I'm bad........ I'm here all week folks!

My "accumulation" has more with extra "tiny holes" than not. The deer don't seem to mind. IMHO, slings are "bad" when hunting, as the rifle shouldn't be over your shoulder, BUT, they certainly come in handy when your dragging one (or two) deer out of the woods. That being said, I try to never add any additional holes in my rifles that weren't there when I aquired them. -TomT

It all depends on WHAT you are collecting! Pristine 99's or F's or calibers (me) or SRC's or .....? We ALL want the best condition rifles we can find and/or afford. I know I have a couple I wish I had passed on and used that money towards a better gun later on but they fit a hole in "collection" and hopefully will upgrade some day. And I will shoot most of mine if not all some day. It all boils down to having fun and enjoying your guns!

For me they are less concern than a recoil pad or D&T. They do need to be in an acceptable location and style.

Yep:

I have 99's with sling studs. I prefer them without though

To HELL with you snobby ,perfection ,purists !!!!!!!! i collect serial numbers !!!!!!!

Okay Don, I'll trade ya a dozen serial numbers for a dozen of those pesky wood and metal things you got in your vault.

Just cuz I'm a nice guy...

I like them attached to a firearm !!!

Here's the 308 EG I just picked up.Is the bit big enough?? http://photobucket.com/sqweeler i5

I'd use a plug cutter bit myself with a little gorilla glue. Tom

john no would probably be happy with lots of the guns that are passed by by many on his forum